David McDiarmid: Art, Politics, Fashion and AIDS

A Talk by Dr Sally Gray (curator and cultural historian, writer of Friends, Fashion and Fabulousness: The Making of an Australian Style)

Australian queer artist David McDiarmid (1952-1995) is best known internationally for his fiercely courageous and darkly humorous art works created in the face of his sero-positive HIV status from 1986. Centring on the artist’s life and work, Sally Gray’s talk will range over the personal and the political: art; fashion; friendships; collaborations; parties; inspirations; influences and histories. The presentation will cover McDiarmid’s search for creative modalities to encompass early Gay Liberation; triumphant pre-AIDS cruising and dance party worlds and response to the personal and political impact of HIV/AIDS.

About the speaker…

Dr Sally Gray wrote her PhD on the life and work of her long-term friend Australian queer artist David McDiarmid. She was executor of the McDiarmid estate following David’s death of AIDS-related conditions in 1995 and is the copyright holder for his artistic works.

She was guest curator of the major retrospective exhibition David McDiarmid: When This You See Remember Me (NGV 2014); curator of Heart and Heart Shall Never Part: The Fashion Collaboration of Linda Jackson and David McDiarmid (Wollongong Art Gallery 2016); co-curator of David McDiarmid: A Short History of Facial Hair (Fashion Space Gallery, London College of Fashion 2011).

As curator of the McDiarmid creative legacy she has facilitated David’s inclusion in numerous cultural events, screenings, exhibitions and publications globally; including the presentation of his ‘Rainbow Aphorism’ series of digital works throughout London’s Underground stations in 2017 in collaboration with Art on The Underground.

Her scholarly research on art, fashion and cities appears in academic journals, books and other publications.

DETAILS

Cost:
$25 (includes a complimentary glass of wine on arrival)

Limited parking available on-site.

Wheelchair accessible.

Main image: David McDiarmid, Sydney . Photograph by C. Moore Hardy 1993